DETROIT LIONS: Offense must find ways to move ball

Detroit Lions defensive end Cliff Avril celebrates sacking Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder in the first half last Sunday. Avril later had a scary moment when his leg gave out. He said he felt good Wednesday. (AP Photo)

ALLEN PARK — Matthew Stafford was thrown a statistic about man coverage versus zone coverage by a media member on Wednesday.

The Detroit Lions quarterback doesn’t have detailed statistics memorized, but he knows coverages are different this year with much less man-to-man coverage and it’s making it tough on him and the offense.

Whatever other defenses throw at the Lions they have to adjust and make it work.

“We’ve got to find ways to get the ball down the field some and also be able to run it and throw the intermediate short passing game well enough to try to get them out of it,’’ Stafford said on Wednesday. “If they don’t want to get out of it just keep doing what we’re doing. (We’ve) just got to put the ball in the end zone, that’s the biggest difference, have to score touchdowns.’’

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Other than defenses, another difference is the absence of running back Jahvid Best. He only played the first six games last season but the Lions were 5-1 with him and 5-5 without him and his speed.

“Obviously he’s a weapon out of the backfield, whether it’s man coverage or zone coverage whatever it is, the guy is really good with the ball in his hands and really good in any kind of man-to-man match-up as well,’’ Stafford said of Best.

“He was a chain mover on third down for us last year. (I was) able to check down to him and let him get the first downs. The guys we have are plenty good as well. Joique (Bell) did a great job in that two-minute drive — I threw a bunch of checkdowns to him and he was getting yards after the catch. And obviously Mikel (Leshoure) can do the same.’’

Best, who sustained a concussion on Oct. 16, is on the physically unable to perform list. If he’s cleared for contact, he’ll be able to start practicing the week of Oct. 15.

When the season started there were questions about the defense. But the offensive struggles and special teams meltdowns have been the difference in the first quarter of the season for the 1-3 Lions.

Avril: ‘It was scary’

Cliff Avril didn’t practice on Wednesday after injuring his back on Sunday during the loss to the Vikings.

He said it was a scary moment on the field.

“Real scary, it was scary. My leg kind of gave out on me and it’s never done that before. There’s a lot of things that go through your head when that happens,’’ Avril said. “Luckily I was able to get up and walk off on my own will, I’m standing up right now.’’

He said it felt good on Wednesday. The bye comes at a good time for him.

Since the Lions don’t play again for 11 days, they could have been using caution in holding certain players out. Coach Jim Schwartz said none of the injured players have long-term injuries.

“One of the benefits wherever the bye week is, you’re able to put bumps and bruises behind,’’ Schwartz said.

Linebacker Travis Lewis, who has been out with a quad injury, returned to practice as did Louis Delmas.

The Lions (1-3) practiced Wednesday before taking a mandated stretch off for the bye week. Their next game is Oct. 14 at the Philadelphia Eagles.

By the numbers

In Sunday’s loss three players were on the field for all 58 defensive snaps — Ricardo Silva (in his first NFL start), Chris Houston and Stephen Tulloch. ... Wide receiver Nate Burleson was on the field for 77 of the 78 offensive snaps while Calvin Johnson was on for 70. Johnson was forced to the sidelines briefly to be checked out after being the recipient of a helmet-to-helmet hit. ... John Wendling played only special teams and was on the field for 89 percent of special teams snaps. Cornerback Jonte Green also played special teams for 36 percent of snaps.